Tankers detained by Malaysian authority for STS marine fuel transfer

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained three tankers for illegally transferring marine fuel oil through ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in the east of Johor waters yesterday.

PHOTO: A tanker detained by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency for alleged STS marine fuel transfers. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

The arrests were conducted by the Malaysian Coast Guard when they noticed two tankers attempting to transfer marine fuel oil at the position of east 32 nautical miles off east of Cape Great Sedili. Similarly, another tanker was detained at a position of 12 nautical miles east of Tanjung Balau.

The captains of the vessels detained have been taken to Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone for further investigation, MMEA says. The authority has confiscated 7000 mt of marine fuel oil for illegal oil transfer crimes.

Many STS transfers are considered legitimate, however, suspicious circumstances such as night-time operations, anchoring near sanction countries or missing AIS data raises concerns.

Last month, MMEA detained a tanker and ferry for allegedly transferring oil through STS in Langkawi waters.

By Nithin Chandran

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